I AM writing of my disgust at City of York Council's tree butchering exploits in Campleshon Road in South Bank.

They first started back in June. Wildlife Trust guidelines stated work on trees with nesting wild birds should not be done till the end of August.

I promptly contacted the council, again with my findings, and work was postponed. Shouldn't the wildlife officer for the council have known this?

Work has begun again, to my sadness.

The beautiful avenue of trees are now almost skeletal trunks with the odd branch here and there.

I was told by the council that this is within guidelines for health and safety and that this was done every ten years.

As a South Bank resident that has resided here all my life, I don't remember a butchering of trees on this scale ever.

So next time your council tax bill is higher, as it is every year, you know where your hard-earned cash goes.

Tree trimming, fair enough. Butchering? No thanks. At the end of the day it's less beauty, less wildlife, more council tax. Sad old world isn't it?

J Cook, Sutherland Street, South Bank, York.


A City of York Council spokesperson said: "The council commissioned specialist contractors to reduce the canopy size and spread of the lime trees in Campleshon Road earlier this year. Similar cyclical pruning work is done to all the city's mature lime avenues to keep the trees looking attractive and as safe as possible to the public.

"A recent safety report indicated a number of problems with the trees, including dead wood and branches liable to collapse on the public. The trees had also grown so large that, in some cases, touching the windows of some houses.

"All our arboricultural contractors are aware of the guidelines regarding wildlife and they try to ensure that no nests are destroyed during tree work.

"Though it may appear distressing when trees are pruned, we have to strike a balance between maintaining strong, healthy trees, and the safety of residents and road users. The council's arboricultural team is satisfied that the work that has been carried out to a high standard and will not cause any long term damage to the trees or local wildlife."